The Space Race - Weekly Roundup Oct 22nd

Author

Juan Fernández
October 22, 2024

Hi, dear space fans! 

Tons of interesting updates this week: Axiom revealed their new moon spacesuit, and so did China! SpaceX has launched satellites for rival OneWeb while taking on legal battles, and CNSA recovered a reusable satellite while another satellite broke up in orbit. Plus, NASA’s new study hints at life under Mars’ ice, and the Sun’s activity is ramping up fast. Let’s dive in! 😊 

🧑‍🚀 Axiom and Prada Reveal Final Spacesuit for Artemis III

At the 2024 International Astronautical Congress, Axiom Space and Prada presented the final design of the AxEMU spacesuit, set for use in NASA’s Artemis III mission to the Moon. This collaboration combines Prada's expertise in high-performance materials and Axiom's engineering capabilities to create a flexible, durable, and visually striking suit that will support astronauts in the harsh lunar environment.

🌕 China too! CNSA Unveils New Lunar Spacesuit

China has also revealed the design of its lunar spacesuit, set to be used for a crewed moon mission by 2030. The suit, designed for mobility in low gravity, features protective fabric, anti-glare helmet visors, and cultural elements. It is a key step in China’s broader lunar exploration efforts, including plans for a moon base in the 2030s.

⏳ Ground System Delays Could Push Back Artemis 2 Launch

NASA's Artemis 2 mission, set for September 2025, faces potential delays due to issues with ground systems, including the mobile launch platform. A recent GAO report highlighted the lack of schedule margin, warning that any further complications could push back the launch date. NASA continues to make upgrades and repairs following Artemis 1, but concerns remain about meeting the mission’s timeline.

⚖️ SpaceX Sues California Commission for Political Bias

SpaceX has filed a lawsuit against the California Coastal Commission (CCC), claiming political bias influenced its decision to block multiple Falcon 9 launches from Vandenberg Space Force Base. The lawsuit argues that some panel members based their votes on Elon Musk’s political views, rather than environmental concerns, violating their legal duties. SpaceX seeks to prevent the CCC from regulating its launches.

🌕 New Simulation Helps Future Lunar Dust Collection

Researchers from the University of Bristol have developed a virtual simulation to help future lunar missions collect and handle Moon dust, a key resource for building infrastructure. The simulation, tested through a teleoperated robot, aims to reduce costs and improve preparation for upcoming missions like NASA’s Artemis, allowing remote operations of robots on the Moon’s surface despite communication delays.

🛰️ SpaceX Launches Spare Satellites for OneWeb’s LEO Network

On October 20, SpaceX successfully launched 20 spare satellites for OneWeb’s low Earth orbit (LEO) broadband network, bolstering the rival constellation of French operator Eutelsat. These satellites will enhance network resilience and support Eutelsat's plans to begin global services in the spring of 2025, despite delays in ground infrastructure.

✨ Hubble Captures Stunning R Aquarii Details

The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has captured mesmerizing images of R Aquarii, a symbiotic binary star system 700 light-years away. This dynamic duo of a white dwarf and red giant produces violent eruptions, sending glowing filaments into space. Hubble’s timelapse, spanning from 2014 to 2023, showcases the dramatic evolution of the system’s nebula and star brightness changes.

🇨🇳 China's New Space Goals Through 2050

China has revealed an ambitious space science development plan, aiming to become a global leader by 2050. The roadmap outlines three phases, with goals like investigating dark matter, exoplanets, and gravitational waves by 2027. By 2036, China plans to lead in space exploration, focusing on the origins of the universe and life, and crewed deep-space missions.

🧊 Could Life Thrive Under Mars' Ice?

A new NASA study suggests that microbial life might exist beneath Mars' icy surface. Using computer models, researchers propose that sunlight penetrating the Martian ice could allow photosynthesis to occur in shallow meltwater pools, similar to environments on Earth. These findings point to potential habitats for life on Mars, particularly under dusty ice formations in the planet’s tropics.

🛰️ Intelsat Satellite Breaks Up in Orbit

On October 19, Intelsat’s satellite, Intelsat 33e, experienced a major anomaly, leading to its breakup in geostationary orbit. The incident halted communications services across Europe, Africa, and Asia-Pacific regions. Efforts are underway to reroute affected customers, while Boeing and Intelsat investigate the cause. The U.S. Space Force confirmed tracking 20 debris fragments from the event.

☄️ Most Meteorites Come from One Source

New research reveals that most meteorites crashing into Earth originate from a few asteroid breakups in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Two studies traced these meteorites, primarily ordinary chondrites, to specific asteroid families like Koronis, Karin, and Massalia. This discovery helps scientists better understand the origins of meteorites and the history of our solar system.

☀️ Sun’s Activity Reaches New Heights

The Sun is nearing the peak of its 11-year solar cycle, with increasing flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). This heightened activity poses risks to technology, such as satellite systems and GPS, while offering dazzling auroras. Scientists are monitoring closely as solar maximum approaches, with predictions suggesting more intense space weather events in the coming months.

🚀 SpaceX Wins Nine Military Launch Contracts

SpaceX has secured nine military launch contracts worth $733.5 million, prevailing over United Launch Alliance (ULA). These launches, part of the US Space Force’s Phase 3 competition, will support national security missions, including satellite deployments for missile tracking and data relay. The launches are scheduled to begin in 2025 from California and Florida, marking a major win for SpaceX in the latest round of military procurements.

📹 Our latest videos

In case you missed them, here are the latest videos we've published on our YouTube channel

🚀 Upcoming Rocket Launches

Another busy launch week! Mark your calendars!

  • Tuesday, October 22nd: Long March 6 (China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation) - Unknown Payload. Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, China

  • Tuesday, October 22nd: Falcon 9 Block 5 (SpaceX, USA) - Starlink Group 6-61 mission. Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

  • Wednesday, October 23rd: Long March 2C (China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation) - Unknown Payload. Xichang Satellite Launch Center, China

  • Wednesday, October 23rd: New Shepard (Blue Origin, USA) - NS-27 mission. Corn Ranch, Van Horn, TX, USA

  • Thursday, October 24th: Falcon 9 Block 5 (SpaceX, USA) - NROL-167 mission. Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

  • Saturday, October 26th: H3-22 (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Japan) - DSN 3 (Kirameki 3) mission. Tanegashima Space Center, Japan

And that’s all for this week! Stay tuned for more space updates :)

Juan from The Space Race team